Buhari: We’ll Modernise Police Operations In Line With 21st Century Expectation

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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he would bequeath “a
citizen-led policing system” to the nation, assuring that his
administration has already demonstrated firm commitment towards
changing the principle and strategy of policing in the country.

He gave the pledge on Tuesday in an address at the passing out
parade of 418 officers of the 3rd Regular Cadet Course at the
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil-Kano.

He further explained his directive to the National Salaries,
Incomes and Wages Commission on the upward review of police
emoluments.

In his speech delivered by the Minister of Police Affairs,
Maigari Dingyadi, the President said a citizens-led policing system
informed the approval for the adoption of Community Policing as the
Internal Security Strategy of the country, as well as the approval
of funds to support the implementation process.

On the revised salary and allowances for the Nigeria Police, the
President said it will be commensurate with the vital functions
they are performing as the lead agency in internal security
assets.

The President noted that the police reform initiative, embarked
upon by his administration, had focused on improving the welfare of
the force, recruitment of 10,000 junior police officers annually,
investing in the upgrade of facilities at the Nigeria Police
Academy and other Police training institutions in the country,
among others.

He stated: “In addition, a Nigeria Police Academy
(Establishment) Bill is currently receiving legislative attention
at the National Assembly. On passage, the Bill will give full legal
backing to the existence and academic programmes of the Nigeria
Police Academy and fully legitimise its status as a Police
University.

“Furthermore, as part of our Police reform initiatives, the
Police Public Complaint Committee, which is domiciled in the
Ministry of Police Affairs has been resuscitated with the mandate
to receive complaints from the general public on cases of abuse and
maltreatment by Police Officers. The PPCC has a membership made up
of officials from relevant MDAs and Security agencies.

”A Public-Private Partnership arrangement undertaken by the
Ministry of Police Affairs to rejuvenate the National Public
Security Communication System Network has been approved by the
Federal Executive Council.

”This is with a view to ensuring that when fully reactivated the
Police and other Security Agencies will be able to fully utilize
this vital facility,” he said.

The President’s address at the occasion highlighted his
administration’s out reform programme to modernise and reposition
the Nigeria Police to meet the aspirations of the citizens, as well
as to manage current and evolving threats in the most efficient and
professional manner.

Continuing, Buhari stated: “We re-established the Ministry of
Police Affairs out of the former Ministry of Interior in 2019. This
is with the intention to drive the Police Reform process by
initiating, formulating, and implementing policies and programmes
relating to Policing and Internal Security.

”This initiative was also intended to provide supervision and
administrative support to the Force, particularly, in the area of
training and capacity development as well as the enhancement of the
budgetary profile of the Nigeria Police.

”In order to address the funding challenges of the Force, I also
assented to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill on 24th June 2019
and followed up with the inauguration of the Board of Trustees to
ensure the immediate take-off of the Fund.

“I am being constantly briefed by the Honourable Minister of
Police Affairs on the activities of the Trust Fund and I am
delighted to note that already, critical operational items
including purpose-built operational vehicles and other policing
assets are currently being delivered through the intervention of
the Trust Fund.

”I am confident that with the sustained intervention of the
Trust Fund, the operational efficiency and human capacity
development goals of the Nigeria Police will be attained on a
sustainable basis and by extension, our internal security order
will be enhanced in due course,” he said.

Furthermore, the President recounted that on September 15, 2020,
he assented to the Nigeria Police Bill which had been under
legislative actions since 2014.

“The Act replaces the repealed Nigeria Police Act that had been
in existence for over 77 years, and which had become an archaic
legal instrument and a fundamental clog in the wheels of modern
policing.

“The new Nigeria Police Act contains fundamental provisions
which are positively altering the policing narrative in Nigeria as
it has given legal backing to the principle of community policing
and addressed vital issues that have historically been inhibiting
seamless police administration.

“With the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the nation has been given a
unique legal instrument that will modernize police operations and
position the Nigeria Police towards the attainment of its 21st
Century Policing Mandate,’’ he said.

The President charged the young officers that the task of
advancing major police responsibilities will in due course fall on
their shoulders, saying:

“The Federal Government and the citizens of this nation demand
of you the assurances that in this task of national service, you
shall not let yourselves, families, the Nigeria Police Force and
the nation down,” he added.

The President also urged the newly commissioned 418 Cadet
Officers, who are now Assistant Superintendents of Police, to be
guided by the fact that their conduct on the field will be
constantly scrutinized and they would be held personally
accountable for their actions.

He said: “You should remain good ambassadors of the Nigeria
Police and demonstrate respect to civil society in discharging your
duties, while also maintaining zero tolerance for corruption.

”To the Commandant and other staff of the Academy, I commend you
for your dedication to duty which has ensured the proper
indoctrination of these young officers as well as occasioned
today’s successful Passing Out Parade.

”I assure you of the continuous support of this administration
for the Academy towards attaining the object of its
establishment.

”In this regard, the Minister of Police Affairs is directed to
liaise with the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of
the Academy in identifying critical challenges of the Police
Academy and submit a comprehensive proposal that will aid the
Federal Government in addressing them,” he said.

While congratulating the Cadets, the President described the
passing-out parade as further testimony to his administration’s
commitment towards bridging the crucial manpower gap which has been
inhibiting the optimal performance of the Nigeria Police.

”It is also in furtherance to the Federal Government’s policy of
evolving new young officers who will stimulate change in policing
in Nigeria and act as the face of the new police that we envision
and desire in this country,” he said.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, pointed out
that in his remarks, the Commandant of the Academy, Lawal Tanko
Jimeta, said the passing out ceremony was the third edition since
the Academy was upgraded into a university, adding that no fewer
than 1000 well-trained officers have graduated from the
institution.

He thanked the President for the unflinching support to the
Academy, saying that within two years, 15-degree programmes have
been successfully accredited by the National University
Commission.

”We have also taken possession of five iconic projects executed
by the Central Bank of Nigeria, including a modern postgraduate
hostel, an auditorium, a forensic laboratory, an indoor shooting
range and a fully equipped state-of-the-art ICT complex,” he
said.